Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Reading , percentiles (rambling)

Hi BKD,

My oldest son (now 14) went to 1st grade as a non-reader. He could sound out letters. I was worried because he had tested into a class for highly gifted kids and he'd be the youngest (the others were grades 2-6). How could he learn to read when no one else was at that level--they could easily read directions off the board? The teachers told me not to worry.

He learned to read almost immediately (within the 1st 9 wks he was fluent). By the end of 1st grade, he was at a 4th grade reading level. Ever since, reading is his passion. He plows through fiction, nonfiction, biography, all kinds of books and several magazines each month.

There was no problem--just timing, in my opinion, and the need to learn to read is what ultimately got him to do it. Maybe stubbornness too. I agree with Grinity that you should consider getting him out of his class situation.

BTW, I also have a son who learned to read at 3, so they are all different.

Hi again all,

Grinity, I completely agree about the last two years - in retrospect we absolutely should have changed the situation sooner. I've been so caught up in denial/tring to process everything/comimg to a position that I haven't been thinking clearly. I know there a people who think I'm crazy for worrying about the work habits and self-image of a six year old, but I do believe that some damage has been done.

On the other hand, Cym I also believe that he's probably capable of moving quickly if/when in the appropriate setting. One hopes. We had a breakthough the other day - for the first time he actually asked me what a word was!! "Break" I said. Oh, okay... "I will break you." Sweet.